Progress (Autumn 2015)

IHQ-ProgRes@salvationarmy.org

AUTUMN 2015 // ISSUE 14

A NEWS UPDATE FROM THE PROGRAMME RESOURCES DEPARTMENT AT IHQ

Programme Resources 1 Programme Resources

Commissioner Charles Swansbury

Standing on the shoulders of Giants

International Secretary for Programme Resources

2 Congress Reflection Building bridges at Boundless

Standing on the shoulders of

Giants

4 Communications Section

Uniting One Army with teaching

5 International Projects and

Development Services

Others after Boundless

8 Programme Resources

Building the team

11 Communications Section

How the Army communicates

12 Communications Section

To Boundless – and beyond!

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t was the French pharmacist Émile Coué who, in 1920 at his clinic at Nancy, introduced a method of psychotherapy characterised by frequent repetition of the mantra, ‘Every day, and in every way, I am becoming better and better.’ This method of autosuggestion came to be called Couéism.

Whilst the Programme Resources Department has not– to my knowledge!

– resorted to the repetition of mantras as

part of its daily routine, the combination of Prog and Res to form the title of this publication, and indeed part of the departmental email address, does suggest that there is a desire or intention that there should be continual progress in everything we are striving to undertake around the Salvation Army world.

Whilst this is laudable and commendable, something that might be CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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3 3CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 considered a hindrance is the inevitable turnover of staff. Including my own appointment, and that of my wife, a little more than a year ago, there have been seven changes in the sectional and departmental leaders over the past 15 months – and all of these changes in officer appointments. (Some of those newly-appointed members of staff will be introduced within these pages.)

Whilst change is somewhat inevitable at International Headquarters, none of these have been intentional – at least on my part!

The main difference in our work, service or ministry, however, is that we are not called to achieve our own mantra or methodology but simply align ourselves more and more to God’s divine intention, provision and rhythm. In seeking first his Kingdom and his righteousness we will inevitably become better and better, and

‘Even dormant seeds can spring into life when rain falls in the desert’

progress will be made. In some places and at some times, the seeds sown may appear to fall on dry and stony ground, but even dormant seeds can spring into life when rain falls in the desert. This is not psychotherapy, or autosuggestion, but confidence that ‘the desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom’ (Isaiah 35:1 NIV).

The intention of measuring impact, which has been a particular focus of the department over the past few years, has contributed towards the appreciation of the progress we are making. This initiative is being strengthened with the appointment of an Impact Measurement Coordinator to the department, whose task will be to develop the mission accountability framework and measurement tools by which we can better understand the outcomes and impact of the investments we make in the lives of people, and learn from that experience.

Isaac Newton, in a letter to Robert Hooke in February 1676, used a phrase

attributed to Bernard of Chartres, who was reputed to say that, ‘We [the Moderns] are like dwarves perched on the shoulders of giants [the Ancients], and thus we are able to see more and farther than the latter. And this is not at all because of the acuteness of our sight or the stature of our body, but because we are carried aloft and elevated by the magnitude of the giants.’ Newton’s quote is now more frequently reproduced as: If I have seen further it is only by standing on the shoulders of giants.

I would be bold enough to say that the progress of the Programme Resources Department has been largely possible because we are not only standing on holy ground but also on the shoulders of those who have served faithfully and loyally before us. May God abundantly bless those who have recently moved to serve in other responsibilities and those who now contribute to ProgRes to serve him better every day!

Congress Reflection Captain Diana MacDonald SECRETARY FOR PERSONNEL Pakistan Territory

Building bridges at Boundless

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must say it was a ‘boundless’ experience!

I had boundless fun, received boundless blessings and achieved boundless spiritual growth.

I met Salvationists from around the world and we shared this experience as one. It was great to see the unique Boundless logo everywhere, symbolising the significance of the event as it formed joyful patterns of swooping doves, carrying God’s message of peace, love and unity.

I will never forget this congress. God the Father had oversight of everything that took place. The name of Jesus, the

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Son, was truly glorified. And there was no doubt that the Holy Spirit was poured out in a transformational way.

O boundless salvation! deep ocean of love, O fullness of mercy, Christ brought from above, The whole world redeeming, so rich and so free, Now flowing for all men, come, roll over me!

(SASB 509 v 1) When I sang these words they touched me in a different way to before. I truly felt like I finally understood what they meant.

The congress was one of the most

significant events of my life and the words found in 2 Corinthians 8:9 changed my life: ‘For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.’

I experience his boundless grace as I walk with the Lord. The congress enhanced my spiritual experience, both individually and in a wider sense, as I was humbled by the privilege afforded to me when opening God’s Word to thousands of Salvationists during the session ‘A Unified Army’.

I see that the way forward for the international Salvation Army is by coming alongside each other to build bridges of love, care, peace and reconciliation.

As I quoted in my address at Boundless, building bridges is not an easy

task; it can be difficult at times but it is not impossible!

The world has deep spiritual needs.

Therefore, we need to escape our self-made boundaries and become bridge-builders of love, care, peace and reconciliation in our communities. Our prime and ultimate mission is to win souls for Jesus Christ through servant leadership and practical service. How can we do this? Here are some suggestions:

• • •

By reinforcing the public ministry of General William Booth, who helped people to seek hope and happiness By starting meaningful conversations with people, both within and outside the Army world By treating people with dignity and respect, in spite of who they are or

• • • • •

what culture they come from By crossing the barriers that divide people in society By showing the compassionate face of Jesus through our actions By teaching people that Scripture is more important than culture.

Unnecessary cultural norms should be discouraged By having conviction, hope and strategic goals that define our existence and purpose By encouraging every Salvationist to practise accuracy, accountability and transparency.

Jesus showed love, care, peace and reconciliation. Why can’t we?

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Communications Section Commissioner Robert Street ONE ARMY

Uniting One Army with teaching

T

he opportunity to publicise the newly-produced One Army international teaching material at Boundless – the Whole World Redeeming was ideal. Those who already knew about it, and were using it, gave us great encouragement with their enthusiastic comments. Those who had not yet heard of it were amazed that such a resource was free, courtesy of the General.

The 13 themed books, each complete with youth section and a culture feature, are complemented by 13 equivalent films on five DVDs. The surprise (and joy) on the faces of non-English speaking delegates to see subtitles in their own language, and the number of book translations already available, was a delight to experience. Translations are at various stages according to territory, but

‘Those who had not yet heard of it were amazed that such a resource was free, courtesy of the General’

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there are already 20 in progress.

Because the series provides clear, basic teaching about the Christian faith and looks at what the Army should be in the 21st century, this resource looks like having a long lifetime. It can be (and is being) updated on the One Army website and invites participation through social media.

Its promotion and distribution is largely in the hands of territorial leadership. The material can be used in all kinds of ways whatever suits your situation best. Make the most of it.

International Projects and Development Services (IPDS) Bo Christoffer Brekke ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER OF OTHERS – TRADE FOR HOPE

Others after Boundless

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n the wall of the Others – Trade for Hope exhibit at the Boundless congress you could read the words ‘Hope’, ‘Independence’ and ‘Dignity’. For those of us who know how much pride went into their making, these values were just as clearly written on each of the red bags and colourful lanyards that could be seen all around London that week. For Others, the congress first of all meant production – which in turn means strengthened livelihoods.

At the O2 itself, the Others exhibit also gave our staff and volunteers the opportunity to interact with Salvationists from around the world. Naturally, our main goal was that this presence should translate into more sales, which again means more work for more producers,

and more transformed lives. Our congress experience gave cause for optimism, for at least three reasons: 1. Our interactions at the exhibit certainly confirmed that there are Salvationists around the world who share our passion for justice, poverty alleviation and ethical trade. This, of course, isn’t news. All the same, it was encouraging to meet so many people who shared the vision underlying the Others concept, recognising that this is what the Army is all about – faith in action. You don’t need to know much Army history to know the difference that just one or two passionate people can make.

2. Our presence at the congress confirmed that there is a demand for

‘Our congress experience exemplified the potential that lies in our purchasing power as a large international organisation’

our products. Based on the number of people who wanted to buy the Kenyan nativity set we displayed, sales of this alone would probably have covered the cost of our display, had it been a sales booth. Meanwhile, we had products on sale at the SP&S shop, several of which sold out. The key to sustainability for us is that people don’t buy products just because of the concept, but primarily because of the products.

3. Our congress experience exemplified the potential that lies in our purchasing power as a large international organisation. Boundless was a huge event, but by no means the only global Army event in which Others is involved. In light of the impact of this one event – imagine the effect that could be made with the collective opportunities that lie in all the many events and programmes that The Salvation Army organises year after year.

So there is interest, and there is potential. The challenge, now, is to mobilise interest into action and realise some of that potential. We need to convert expressed support into concrete sales channels, to make our products more widely available. For this, we need passionate people, creativity, hard work – and territorial backing in even more potential sales countries.

We have invited interested parties to share their experiences of sales in their countries or to suggest ideas for how permanent sales channels can be opened in more Army territories.

Interested in being involved?

You can get in touch via www.tradeforhope.com.

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International Projects and Development Services (IPDS)

Others at Boundless Naturally, our main goal was that this presence should translate into more sales, which again means more work for more producers

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Programme Resources

Building the team Introducing new members of the Progamme Resources Department

Major Brad Halse

What is your role at IHQ? I am Communications Secretary in the Programme Resources Department.

Where were you before you came to IHQ and what were you doing?

I served in the Australia Southern Territory as the Territorial Director of Government Relations. I lived in Melbourne, where THQ is located, and spent considerable time engaging with both the national and state governments, via their Ministers, Members of Parliament, advisors and senior public servants. The aim of this newly created role was to not only develop communication channels from the Army to the corridors of government policymaking, but also the reverse, namely, to make it easier for MPs and others to connect with the Army. To many of them the Army is a large complex organisation, one which it is difficult to navigate to in an efficient manner.

What experiences do you have that you will use in your new appointment?

I have previously served as the Territorial Director of Communications in Australia Southern as well as serving two different appointments with the national editorial office in Australia. These appointments, in particular, will be valuable to me in undertaking my new responsibilities. But saying that, all of my appointments, on the field, in social programmes and on divisional and territorial headquarters, will be more than useful.

Who or what has been the biggest influence on your life and why?

Hard to say, apart from, as many of us may suggest, parents.

They have had a profound influence on me in the broadest terms.

I don’t really point to any particular teacher or leader in this context. Lots of people I have known have impacted strongly, as have many of the authors I have read and musicians and artists I have experienced.

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How are you finding living and working in London?

It is probably too early to say. Life was predictably very disconnected for the first week. My wife and I are very pleased to be here and look forward to settling in during the coming weeks and beginning to explore the city as time allows. London will be an exciting environment within which to live and work. I will obviously become more comfortable with the processes and protocols of IHQ as well, which will be a good thing!

What few words would you use to describe yourself?

Not really something I would be inclined to do! If really pushed I might say reflective, quiet and, perhaps, arts-loving. I guess a phrase can count as one word! But, I doubt that a human being can be categorised or described in just a few words. Not this one anyway!

Major Isaac Siundu

What is your role at IHQ? I have several roles to play as the Development Officer in International Projects and Development Services (IPDS).

These include the review and assessment of existing projects to ensure they meet the requirements of the Community Project Management System. I may have to visit some projects to ensure they are meeting the missional objectives and the implementation process. Working under the direction of the International Projects Officer, I will provide projects support functions, including technical support. There will be work on record-keeping, territorial strategic plan processes, faith-based facilitation and integrated mission, territorial projects officer training and communication with donor territories, as well as serving as a member of some boards and councils related to project work. There will be much consultation and teamwork within IPDS and beyond.

Where were you before you came to IHQ and what were you doing?

I was District Officer for Bunyore District, Kenya West Territory, overseeing a district of 15 corps and 22 outposts. With my wife, Anne, we were also corps officers at Emuhondo Corps where DHQ is situated. I worked with local communities and other denominations on spiritual and practical matters such as education. The Salvation Army sponsors four primary schools and one special unit for the deaf in the area.

What experiences do you have that you will use in your new appointment?

I have had the privilege to work on projects for a total of more than 10 years in Kenya. This, coupled with numerous corps appointments directly involved with communities, as well as having been involved in several emergency response projects in Kenya and Rwanda, has helped broaden my thinking and experience. I hold an MBA in Human Resource Management as well as having undertaken some internal training with the Army.

District, Kenya West Territory, overseeing Women’s Ministries work in 15 corps. This involved planning activities and meetings in Home League, Junior Home League, Silver Star fellowship and Community Caring ministries among other things. I also worked with female and single corps officers organising and leading events for women and was involved in faith-based facilitation.

Being a corps officer with my husband I was, of course, involved in teaching and preaching also.

What experiences do you have that you will use in your new appointment?

Previously I was appointed as Director of Specialised Programmes for four years at THQ training women’s groups using faith-based facilitation to understand and utilise resources.

The work also included training, care and support of people living with HIV/Aids and other disabilities. Along with my husband, we have had several corps appointments in Kenya.

Who or what has been the biggest influence on your life and why?

Jesus Christ. He saved me and leads me. He has seen me through the good and bad moments in my service as an officer, and I know he holds my future!

Who or what has been the biggest influence on your life and why?

Jesus Christ is the biggest influence on my life. He has given me salvation, from which many other blessings in ministry and family have come. I work and live for him.

How are you finding living and working in London?

With lots of support from colleagues here, working at IHQ has been made easier. It is certainly different in many ways from our home territory but still, being one Army, we immediately felt at home at IHQ. Street life and travel is quite different, including the use of maps (digital and non-digital!) and buses, trains and trams that don’t take coinage! School and health facilities have processes and procedures that we are not used to. There are plenty of forms to fill in!

How are you finding living and working in London?

The people at IHQ have welcomed us warmly, giving us all the support we need. That is very important for us as we settle down to our work. We are adjusting to living and travelling differently from home.

What few words would you use to describe yourself?

Loving, friendly and understanding.

What few words would you use to describe yourself?

Learning, accommodating and humorous.

Major Jacoba De Ligt Captain Anne Siundu

What is your role at IHQ? I will give administrative support to the International Health Services Coordinator and International Schools Coordinator.

My work will also involve working with external organisations in matters of international health and schools as well as organising conferences and travel. The work will also involve assisting in communications – the production of newsletters, updating websites and social media feeds and related matters. Last, but not least, I will be involved with tracking the development, production and distribution of health and school projects.

Where were you before you came to IHQ and what were you doing?

I was the District Director of Women’s Ministries in Bunyore

What is your role at IHQ? I am Emergency Services Programme Officer within the Programme Resources Department and my husband is Budget Officer/Finance Trainer within the Business Administration Department.

Where were you before you came to IHQ and what were you doing?

We have just completed our service at command headquarters in Bangladesh. As Projects Officer I was privileged to work with an assistant projects officer and a community development projects director and seven project managers at field level. The department monitored the community development projects and special institutions funded by external donors and Salvation Army territories around the world. Apart from visiting the projects, the work in the office was mainly administrative.

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Programme Resources 4 4What experiences do you have that you will use in your

new appointment?

In the past years I have learnt to live and feel at home in cultures in Africa and South Asia. This will help me to build relationships because IHQ officers and employees come from all over the world. My administrative skills have developed while working as Candidates Secretary, Social Secretary and Projects Officer. In my new role at IHQ I can further develop these skills.

Who or what has been the biggest influence on your life and why?

First and foremost my parents who introduced me and my brothers to the stories of the Bible and prayer. They took us to the Dutch Reformed Church. As a teenager I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour and experienced his love and forgiveness in my life. At that time I participated in a Bible study group and a coffee bar fellowship youth group.

Secondly, when training to become a general nurse, a fellow student nurse introduced me to The Salvation Army, which became my spiritual home. That fellow student nurse also became a Salvation Army officer and she is still a great role model for me, because of her involvement in the prayer network within the Army in the Netherlands.

Thirdly, the Bible verse my husband and I received when married – Romans 8:37, which says ‘No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.’ When things are getting tough we remind ourselves that we are more than conquerors through Christ who loves us! Nothing can separate us from the love of God. How are you finding living and working in London?

It is probably too early to say much about it. We try to cope with the cold temperatures and are glad that transport is so well organised. We have a beautiful flat in a nice neighbourhood.

Squirrels run around the lawn in front of our house and on our way to IHQ we even saw a fox near the railway line! International Emergency Services consists of a team of wonderful people and I am thrilled to be part of it!

What few words would you use to describe yourself?

Open-minded, committed and a perfectionist.

Lieut-Colonel Eva Danso

What is your role at IHQ? My role is to administer the International Literature Programme and assist the Mission Resources Secretary.

Where were you before you came to IHQ and what were you doing?

I was Assistant to the Training Principal at the Officer’s Training College in the Ghana Territory. I taught the cadets about women’s and pastoral ministries as well as being a counsellor and supervisor of the catering.

What experiences do you have that you will use in your new appointment?

God has been so gracious to me. I have seen his Spirit at work in me since I received Christ as my Saviour and friend. Even though some of my appointments have been challenging, I always see God at work in my life and have learnt much from those appointments. I have learnt to be loyal to God and my leaders; to be submissive and to be a good team player. I have learnt to be patient in all situations; to be hard-working and respectful; to give encouragement to others; to be prayerful and to trust God even in difficult times.

Who or what has been the biggest influence on your life and why?

My husband and I have spent most of our years as officers in territorial headquarters and training college roles, so for this reason the officers who have been the territorial president of women’s ministries in Ghana in that time have had the greatest influence because they have helped me to be strong in the Lord and strive to be more like him.

How are you finding living and working in London?

I am finding it to be an opportunity to learn more about The Salvation Army and to develop myself for future ministry.

What few words would you use to describe yourself?

I am a servant of all.

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Communications Section

451 21,800

Bible Challenge comments, last three months (Disqus)

Total Facebook likes

4.1 million Lifetime views of IHQ Flickr photos

70,105 Twitter impressions in August (@SalvArmyIHQ)

123,830 Viewing minutage on IHQ YouTube channel in August

977,690

180,728

Number of sessions, IHQ websites in August

150th anniversary Thunderclap growing to just more than 2.1 million after subsequent retweeting/sharing

How The Salvation Army

communicates around the world

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Kevin Sims

EDITOR OF ALL THE WORLD MAGAZINE

To Boundless – and beyond!

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OR most of the 15,000 people attending The Salvation Army’s 150th anniversary international congress in London, the event ran from 1-5 July 2015. For the International Headquarters (IHQ) Communications Section team, however, those five days were only a small but significant part of a journey that began when the event was announced in early 2012.

The Communications team worked closely with the congress office on a huge

‘The Communications team worked closely with the congress office on a huge number of projects’ number of projects, from preparing the setting of the now-familiar logo to creating some of the huge graphics that turned The O2 into a giant Salvation Army building.

In early June we were even asked to create a last-minute graphic for the escalator leading up from the Tube station at The O2. I know many delegates were surprised and delighted to be greeted by the face of Salvation Army Founder

William Booth before they’d even reached the venue.

During the congress, IHQ Communications team members became part of the larger Boundless Media Team, joining international colleagues. The team worked together to gather photos, disseminate information online and produce a daily newspaper, Boundless Today.

I was part of the newspaper production team based in Sky Backstage, usually a cocktail bar for VIP guests.

It occured to me that, just as early-day Salvationists held meetings in disused public houses, we were converting a drinking venue for God’s work!

This spectacular room had some drawbacks – no natural light, dim artificial lighting and, worst of all, we had only a curtain separating us from the main O2 arena. To say it got loud would be an understatement! When the floor shook as the massive sound system kicked in it felt like being in the middle of an adventure film – and made concentration and conversation particularly difficult.

Long after delegates had left the venue, the Boundless Today team would be working away, getting the next day’s

paper sent to the printers by midnight (or soon after), ready to be delivered and distributed before 8am.

But while we didn’t venture out to see much of the congress or meet delegates we still felt an integral part of Boundless – The Whole World Redeeming. Through working on the words and photos we were able to participate through the eyes of others – much like the many thousands of people who followed events online.

Even now, more than 12 weeks after the end of the congress, our Boundless work continues – through writing articles, producing the beautiful photo book Boundless – The Experience or responding to people who were inspired and enthused by what they witnessed.

I guess that’s how it should be. The success of the Boundless congress won’t be measured by what happened during five heady days in July. Instead it will be judged on how – over weeks, months, years – a fired-up group of Salvationists and friends take to heart and act on the congress theme verse: ‘Preach to the nations the BOUNDLESS riches of Christ’ (Ephesians 3:8).

Editor Colonel Lisbeth Welander EditorIAL ASSISTANCE Kevin Sims, Paul Mortlock design and Artwork Berni Georges PROGRAMME RESOURCES The Salvation Army International Headquarters 101 Queen Victoria Street, London EC4V 4EH, United Kingdom Tel: [44] (0)20 7332 0101; email: IHQ-ProgRes@salvationarmy.org Founder William Booth GENERAL André Cox COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY Major Brad Halse

To subscribe to an electronic copy of Progress please email: IHQ-ProgRes@salvationarmy.org Published by THE General of The Salvation Army © The General of The Salvation Army 2015